Diversity Committee

• We will support and promote diversity and the understanding of diversity in all aspects of our district. With the National Education Association, we define diversity “as the sum of the ways that people are both alike and different” and acknowledge that “the dimensions of diversity include race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, language, culture, religion, mental and physical ability, class and immigration status.”
• We will educate staff, teachers, students, parents, and community members about creating a learning culture that values diversity, multicultural awareness, and inclusive learning.
• We will consistently improve the education and achievement of all students in the district and we will identify and close achievement and opportunity gaps.
• We will advocate for diversity by treating each individual in the district with dignity and respect, by empowering all stakeholders, and by enhancing the opportunities for those stakeholders to actively participate in the education of the children in our district.
• We will engage our community in the promotion and support of diversity by building bridges, promoting involvement, and strengthening collaboration in the interest of our students’ success in our schools and beyond graduation.

2-12-2020 Meeting Agenda/Summary

1-21-2020 Meeting Agenda/Summary

12-11-2019 Meeting Agenda/Summary

9-25-2019 Meeting Agenda/Summary

1. PARENT ADVOCACY

Liaison: Crystal Brock

GOAL:

Increase parent involvement in all aspects of the educational process including extracurricular, conferences, fundraising events, interventions, team meetings, scheduling, and measurable contact between home to school/school to home.

Project for 2020-21:
 

• Developing a guide to help parents and caregivers connect with resources and other supports they need.

2. STUDENT EQUITY

Liaison: Lisa Hock

Ensuring that there is equitable access to all programs and that all students are treated in an equitable manner. 

Projects for 2020-21
 

• Working with the Ferndale School District Equity Task Force to standardize the collection of data. This includes continuing to monitor the numbers in honors programs.

• Establishing clear guidelines for Student Achievement Team meetings that will benefit both district employees and students and their parents. 

• Supporting LGBTQ+ students by educating the district, and especially all who work with these students about gender-neutral language.

• Supporting students from non-traditional families by educating the district, and especially all who work with these students about more inclusive language and classroom activities

3. CULTURAL EDUCATION

Liaisons: Kat LaTosch & Darlene Davis 

Increase cultural awareness and competency of the Ferndale Public School family (parents, teachers,students, community) through educational opportunities designed to share experiences and learn about how we interact with each other across differences. 

Projects for 2020-21:
 

1. Plan a cultural education event or activity for the Ferndale Schools family

Manage the Traditions And Holiday Observances (TAHO) Initiative which is an interactive calendar and story-telling project that aims to provide information, cultural education, and connection for school families about cultural differences. More information is here: ferndaleschools.org/community/cultures/